Noninvasive biometric monitoring technologies for patients with heart failure.

Heart failure remains one of the leading causes of mortality and hospitalizations in the US that not only impacts quality of life but also poses a significant public health burden. The majority of affected patients are admitted with signs and symptoms of congestion. Despite the initial enthusiasm, traditional remote monitoring strategies focusing primarily on weight gain failed to improve clinical outcomes.

Photonic features of blue phase liquid crystals under curved confinement.

Blue phase (BP) liquid crystals represent a fascinating state of soft matter that showcases unique optical and electro-optical properties. Existing between chiral nematic and isotropic phases, BPs are characterized by a three-dimensional cubic lattice structure resulting in selective Bragg reflections of light and consequent vivid structural colors. However, the practical realization of these material systems is hampered by their narrow thermal stability and multi-domain crystalline nature.

Survival After Simultaneous Heart-kidney Transplant in Recipients With a Durable LVAD and Chronic Kidney Disease: Effect of the 2018 Heart Allocation Policy Change.

Background: Heart transplantation remains the most definitive therapy for qualified candidates with end-stage heart failure. Concomitant kidney disease is common in this population prompting an increase in simultaneous heart-kidney (SHK) transplantation in recent years. The goal of our study was to explore the effects of the 2018 heart allocation policy (HAP) change on candidate listing characteristics and compare survival rates at 1 y in patients that were supported with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) pretransplant and underwent SHK or heart alone transplant (HAT).

Globalization, international mobility and the liberal international order.

Since the Second World War, globalization has been underpinned by a liberal international order, a rules-based system structured around the principles of economic interdependence, democracy, human rights and multilateralism. However, the relationship between international mobility and the liberal international order (LIO) is contested. In the article, I disaggregate 'international mobility' into three regimes: the travel regime, the voluntary (labour) migration regime, and the refugee regime-each governed by distinct norms and operating procedures.

Simplifying the ISCHEMIA trial algorithm for clinical practice: Identifying left main coronary artery disease using coronary artery calcium scans.

Background: Several recent trials have evaluated invasive versus medical therapy for stable ischemic heart disease. Importantly, patients with significant left main coronary stenosis (LMCS) were excluded from these trials. In the ISCHEMIA trial, these patients were identified by a coronary CT angiogram (CCTA), which adds time, expense, and contrast exposure.